What is LEC?
The Library Educator’s Certificate (LEC) course is a Professional Development Certificate course offered by Bookworm Goa since 2017, certified by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). The scholarship-based 7-month long course is a blend of practice and theory developed by Bookworm, an organisation which has anchored library education, engagement, and professional development for 19 years. The LEC is guided by a community of library practitioners and friends who echo Bookworm’s vision to inspire and develop a love for reading as a way of life, nurturing humane engagement in everyone.
Who is LEC for?
The course is open to anyone working with children and books, and interested in honing their sensibilities and skills in developing library practices. Our alumni include school librarians, teachers, NGO workers, decision makers at schools, literacy educators, librarians working in public libraries, individuals running libraries in communities, library entrepreneurs, and mental health professionals. While the LEC requires the participant to have a working knowledge of English to engage with the texts, we strongly encourage applications from participants whose native language may not be English.
LEC faculty are able to provide support/ mentorship in Hindi, Marathi, Konkani, Malayalam and Tamil.
Why should you do LEC?
Library education for children has multiple possibilities and dimensions which are nascent and developing in the Indian context. Bookworm is a library based organization with experience of library practice with children across schools and communities for 19 years. The LEC offers a unique opportunity grounded in academic thinking linked with strong practice in a well-designed, highly charged environment with some of the best library practitioners in the field. The LEC will enable you to build and sustain a library practice in a site of your choosing – school library, community library, independent libraries.
The Foundation term opens up a child-centered framework to engage in the library. It will compel you to think about your vision for your library, bring more rigor and creativity to your library practice and push you to examine different perspectives about children’s literature, children’s minds & reading and childhoods in India. As we move towards the Specialisation term, you will examine aspects of Social Justice, Library Landscape and Networking, Assessment & Inclusion in the library, Technology & Children’s Libraries, and more.
DOWNLOAD COURSE PROSPECTUS
APPLICATION FORM
SCHOLARSHIP FORM
For any queries, write to us at prod@bookwormgoa.in or call us on +91 9823222665 (Monday – Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM)
Join us for the LEC Orientation session on 8th of June, 5-6 PM. Register here https://forms.gle/PHJfYQM1mL3cK59b8
FAQs
Course dates, fees & scholarships
What are the dates of the LEC?
The LEC will run from 26th August 2024 to 31 March 2025. The course is offered in a blended mode over 7 months, with two contact periods – (26th - 31st August 2024 and 22nd - 25th January 2025) during which participants' presence in Goa is mandatory.
What are the timings of classes during the contact periods?
Classes will begin at 9AM and go on till 7PM, with breaks for snacks, lunch, and rest. Participants are advised not to make any plans during the contact period, as they will have to engage with post-session readings to prepare for the next day.
Where in Goa will the contact take place?
Contact One - Bambolim Beach Resort, Goa University Road towards the Bambolim Beach, Goa 403206.
Contact Two - St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Retreat centre, Old Goa
What is the course fee and how does it have to be paid?
The tuition fee for the LEC 2024-25 is INR 1.25 Lakhs for the entire programme of 150 teaching-learning hours, payable in two installments – 75% in July 2024 and 25% in October 2024.
What does the course fee include?
This is a total fee that includes immersion in course content built over several years, professional facilitation, training and mentoring by experienced resource persons, access to a curated collection of children's literature, as well as costs of boarding and lodging during the contact periods. It does not include travel to, from, and within Goa outside of the contact sessions.
Am I eligible for a scholarship?
We are committed to curating an inclusive and diverse cohort across communities as part of the LEC, and therefore offer a limited number of scholarships based on demonstration of need. While scholarships are not guaranteed, a candidate’s selection and admission into the programme will not be affected by their ability to pay. Scholarship decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Please fill out the Scholarship Form if you require financial support.
What topics will be covered in the course? Will I get any material or resources?
All materials will be provided. Please refer to the Course Outline section of the prospectus for details on topics that will be covered.
Expectations, Eligibility & Application
I am not a reader myself. Is this still a course for me?
Yes. You can still apply for the course. However, it will be crucial that you are open to learning and developing an interest to engage with literature and library work during the course.
I don’t work in a library, and do not have access to a children’s library space. Can I still apply?
Yes. You can still apply, provided you have the intention to create or identify such a space, as the field project component which runs throughout the course will require access to such a space.
What will be expected from me during the distant course?
Participants should plan for reading, discussion, reflection and responding time requiring around 12 hours per week. (On-time submission of assignments, active engagement in literature circles, implementation of the field project).
I work full time at a school/organization. Would it be ok if I do not attend all contact periods?
No. Attendance for all days of both the contact periods is compulsory. Your organization will have to grant you the necessary time to attend the contact periods before you send in the application to us.
I can attend contact periods but I will not be able to participate in the distant mode. Can I still apply?
Participation in the distant period and for the virtual sessions is compulsory. If you cannot make the time for participation, you will not be eligible to apply.
If I am unable to complete the course, will my fees be reimbursed?
Once your participation has been confirmed and the course fees have been paid, fees will not be reimbursed, even if you are unable to complete the course.
How do I apply?
Please fill out the Application Form.
If applying for a scholarship, please fill out the Scholarship Form - The form will have to be fully filled in and submitted along with the application form.
Can I fill up a hard copy and scan it or courier or post the filled in the application?
No. We will not accept applications in hard copy or scanned applications. They must be typed and submitted in the form above.
When will I know if I have been selected?
Selections will be finalised by 15th July 2024
If I have questions about the course, whom can I speak/write to?
In case of any further queries regarding the course, write to us at prod@bookwormgoa.in. You could also call BOOKWORM at 9823222665 from 10 am to 6pm Monday through Saturday.